Kemp mashes walk-off homer

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on April 14, 2008 1:48 PM

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ECU Sports Information

GREENVILLE -- Corey Kemp slugged a two-out, walk-off home run in the ninth inning as No. 28-ranked East Carolina edged Marshall 5-3 in their Conference USA series finale Sunday afternoon.

Kemp ripped his league-leading 12th homer as the Pirates improved to 26-9 overall and 8-4 agains CUSA opposition. ECU staged its second consecutive ninth-inning rally against the Herd, which exited 14-19-1 in all games this season.

Trailing 3-2. Harrison Eldridge stroked a triple down the right-field line. Ryan Wood followed with an RBI single and moved into scoring position on Stephen Batts' groundout. After a passed ball, Kemp smashed a 1-2 slider over the fence for his eighth game-winning RBI of the season.

Kemp was hitless until his final at-bat.

Bailey Daniels claimed the mound win in relief of Seth Simmons, who replaced starter Justin Bristow. Bristow earned a no-decision with a 62/3 innings stint, while Simmons posted a strikeout.

Marshall (4-7-1 CUSA) owned a 3-1 lead through 71/2 innings. Kyle Roller crushed his eighth homer of the season in the eight inning, which closed the gap to 3-2.

Eldridge, Dustin Harrington and Jamie Ray finished with two hits apiece.

East Carolina returns to action Tuesday at in-state rival N.C. State. First pitch is 6:30 p.m.